Management Information Sheet
Update on TITAN Services 19/20
MI sheet 40/20 published on 6 March 2020, detailed proposed changes to the Travel Independence Training (TITAN) service. This notice provides a further update on the current position. Services are targeted at young people with EHCP/SEND needs supporting them to travel independently to their post 16 educational establishment, as part of their transition to adulthood.
Report on progress
Work to identify students who may be suitable for the TITAN (Travel Independence Training) Summer Buddy Service 2020 has progressed well, with 73% of schools responding with information about their Year 11 SEND cohort. Schools who have not yet returned this information are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to titan@norfolk.gov.uk. Please contact the team titan@norfolk.gov.uk if you do not have the original template to submit the information.
Key updates
The early identification of students has enabled the team to quickly move onto the next stage of the process. The team have considered information provided by schools and any online referrals completed by parents/educational professionals. And, in partnership with colleagues in Travel and Transport, have completed a desk-top activity to assess the students' eligibility, suitability and capability for TITAN travel independence activities based on all available information. This has helped to ensure a more integrated approach across teams and departments within Norfolk County Council and has strengthen the decision-making process at an early stage.
The revised system operated this year means that parents/guardians who have already submitted an online referral do not also need to formally apply for post-16 transport. The TITAN desk-top assessment acts as the required application for those students who require transport and are eligible.
The TITAN team are in the process of contacting all parents and students, advising on the outcome of the considered desk-top assessment and next steps. School colleagues will be copied into this correspondence to ensure that they are aware of the decision. Should schools have any queries, the initial point of contact is their Locality Coordinator.| Locality Coordinator City and South | Grace Gurbutt | grace.gurbutt2@norfolk.gov.uk |
| Locality Coordinator Great Yarmouth and North | Rebecca Baker | rebecca.baker@norfolk.gov.uk |
| Locality Coordinator West and Breckland | John Carr | john.carr@norfolk.gov.uk |
Next steps
The Summer Buddy Service 2020 will operate with the support of volunteers who will deliver 1:1 travel training. The onset of COVID 19, has presented a set of unique challenges for volunteer recruitment to TITAN. However schools/colleges can be assured that travel independence activities will commence as soon as it is practicably possible and safe to do so. We are very mindful of current government advice which urges not to travel using public transport. At this stage, and while we await decisions on when lockdown may be eased/relaxed, and or advice on using public transport changes, it is not possible to indicate any timeline for training.
Over the coming weeks the team will be working on the development of learning activities for students and their families, in order to prepare and support them for when travel independence training proper, can commence.